Flexible shield for safety razor



Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. BLOOMFIELD FLEXIBLE SHIELD FOR SAFETY RAZOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1965 w mm F M E v0. N0 L B A Y R R A B 1, W ATTOR NEYS Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. BLOOMFIELD FLEXIBLE SHIELD FOR SAFETY RAZOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1965 INVENTOR. BARRY A. BLOOMFIELD ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,277,571 FLEXIBLE SHIELD FOR SAFETY RAZOR Barry A. Bloomfield, Lehigh Ave., Clifton, NJ. Filed Feb. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 431,576 2 Claims. (Cl. 30-90) This invention relates to flexible shields for the head of a safety razor.

Existing shields for razor blade heads have various shortcomings. Among other disadvantages, they are difiicult to place on and remove from the head. They cannot be placed on the head until the head and blade therein have been completely dried, and often, when placed on the head, they scratch the edge of the razor. With the advent of the stainless steel blade, these existing shields have become outmoded because the stainless steel blade, to retain its sharpness, cannot be wiped dry, but rather must be permitted to dry by evaporation.

It is a primary object of the invention to overcome these disadvantages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shield that is easy to place on and take off the head of a razor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shield for the head of a razor that allows the razor to dry by evaporation while inside the shield.

Another object of the invention is to provide a onepiece elastically deformable shield that defines an envelope which conforms to the shape of the razor head but is somewhat larger than the head and includes venting means adjacent to the exposed portions of the razor blade to enable drying of the safety razor by evaporation while shielding the blade.

Another object of the invention is to provide a one-piece elastically deformable razor head shield which can be readily opened by application of a compressive force at its ends so that the shield can be readily and easily slipped over the head and can assume its proper shielding position upon contraction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a onepiece rubber razor head shield of the character described which lends itself to manufacture inexpensively by mass production techniques.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a flexibly deformable shield for a safety razor. The shield comprises a one-piece envelope which normally holds a shape substantially in accordance with the shape of the head of a razor and includes an upper elongated arcuate wall terminated at each end by a dependent wall and a bottom wall. The envelope encompasses a volume that is somewhat larger than the head. The envelope has a self-closing longitudinal slit in the bottom wall to accommodate entry and removal of the head when the slit is opened. The bottom wall also includes a pair of adjacent complementary notches one on each side of the slit so that an opening is formed to accommodate the handle of a razor. Each of the notches has its largest longitudinal dimension along the slit. The slit is opened by inward pressure app-lied at the end walls so that the head of the razor can be placed axially Within the shield.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety razor embodying a first form of the instant invention and shown in position on the head;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shield per se shown in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the shield shown in an open position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1 with the razor head shown diagrammatically in elevation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a safety razor with a shield of alternate form mounted on the razor head;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 5 with the head shown diagrammatically in elevation.

Specific reference is now made to the drawings in which similar reference characters are used for corresponding elements throughout.

Indicated generally at 10' is a conventional safety razor having a head 12 and a handle 14 connected at a central portion of the bottom thereof. The head 12 is adapted to clamp a razor blade 16 and expose suitable edges of the blade for shaving. A safety razor of this type that may be used with the instant invention is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 2,848,807, issued Aug. 26, 1958.

The shield of the instant invention is shown at 18 and is comprised of a one-piece envelope made of rubber or equivalent elastomeric material which is relatively soft and flexible or elastically deformable. In relaxed condition, the envelope as seen in FIG. 2 conforms to the shape of the razor head, but is somewhat larger than the head.

The envelope which comprises the shield 18 consists of a cup-shaped section 20 having a continuous arcuately shaped upper wall 22 that is somewhat longer longitudinally than the head 12 of the safety razor 10. The upper wall 22 is curved in a shape similar to the upper, outer surface of the safety razor head and extends below the platform 23 of head 12 on both sides as at 25 (see FIG. 4). At each end of the upper wall 22 is a wall 24 that is preferably substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upper wall 22. The end walls 24 are similar in shape to the cross-sectional dimensions of the head 12 and are connected to the ends of upper wall 22 in a suitable manner to form the cup-shaped section and which enclose the entire upper portion of the head 12 including the blade 16. Thus, not only are the exposed longitudinal cutting edges 17 of the blade shielded by the cup-shaped member, but also the end noncutting edges 19 of the blade which project longitudinally beyond the ends of the head 12 (see FIG. 6). These non-cutting edges 19, while not honed for shaving purposes, are nevertheless sharp enough to rip and snag articles of clothing and other objects which they contact, as for example, when the safety razor is packed loosely in a carrying case or valise. The envelope also has a somewhat rectangularly shaped and substantially planar bottom wall 26 which is attached at its periphery to or 3 is integral with the lip or rim of the cup-shaped member 20.

The bottom wall 26 is substantially the same length as the upper wall 22 and is substantially the same width as the widest transverse length of the safety razor head 12. Bottom wall 26 is provided with a central longitudinal slit 28 that divides it into two similar parts. The slit extends from one end wall 24 to the other. Located at a central portion of the wall 26 are a pair of complementary adjacent, substantially semi-cylindrical notches 30, which are located with their diameters on slit 28. When slit 28 is closed, as shown in FIG. 2, these notches form a circular opening which is slightly larger than the cross-section of handle 14.

The notches 30 need not be complementary or semicylindrical, nor is it necessary that the slit 28 be centrally through the bottom wall 26. The slit and notches can be suitably placed to accommodate the handle of any conventional safety razor. The notches should be so made that the shape which they form when the slit is closed has its largest longitudinal dimension with respect to the shield along the slit to enable the slit to close around the handle. The slit should be located to accommodate the razor head and handle location relative to each other. Thus, for example, in a single edged safety razor, the longitudinal slit would be adjacent to a side of wall 26.

The shield 18 is also provided with venting means such as a plurality of holes 32 in each of walls 22, 24, and 26. These holes allow drying of the head 12 and razor blade 16 by evaporation when the shield has been placed over the head after shaving with the safety razor.

To mount the shield on the razor head, the slit 28 is opened by applying inward finger pressure at end walls 24, as shown in FIG. 3, whereupon the safety razor head is placed in or taken out of the shield through the opened slit. After the head is placed in the shield and the finger pressure is released, the shield relaxes, thereby closing the slit 28. The notches 30 also close around the handle 14 and prevent longitudinal movement of the shield 18 with respect to the head 12. With the head 12 in shield 18, the holes 32 are adjacent to exposed portions of the blade; that is, those portions of the blade that are not covered by the head of the safety razor. Holes 33 are also provided in the central portion of arcuate upper wall 22 (see FIG. 1) and on each side of the notches in wall 26. These holes in the central portion of upper wall 22 and Wall 26 act to increase circulation of air to dry the razor blade 16 by evaporation. After the head 12 is in the shield 18, the head may be opened slightly by swing ing cap sections 34 of the head 12 up and causing an opening that extends longitudinally between the cap sections 34 and the spider 36 of the head 12 and which allows air to communicate with the blade 16. There are also openings (not shown) in the bottom of the head 12 which allow air to communicate with the blade 16. Thus, the holes 33 in the walls 22 and 26 provideadditional ventilation because they are adjacent to these latter openings and thereby greatly facilitate drying of the razor blade and head while the shield 18 is in place. It is understood that these holes 32 need not be circular and maybe larger or smaller, as desired.

To remove the head from the shield, it is necessary only to apply inward finger pressure at walls 24 to open slit 28 and remove the head. When pressure is released, the shield resumes its relaxed form as the slit 28 closes.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 7, the shield 40 is made of a one-piece flexible, deformable, stretchable elastomeric material which is comprised of a cup-shaped section 42, a rib 44 which is attached longitudinally to or is integral with the central portion of the outer surface of section 42, a pair of inwardly extending flanges 46 and 47 at the free edges of the section 42, and an outwardly extending finger tab 48 thereat.

The cup-shaped section 42 is similar to the cup-shaped member 20 of the shield 18 and is comprised of a continuous arcuately shaped wall 50 which is curved in a shape similar to the upper surface of the cap sections 34 of the safety razor head, and extends below the platform 23 of the head 12 on both sides as shown in FIG. 7. It is longitudinally slightly longer than the head 12 and is connected at each end to walls 52. Walls 52 are each preferably somewhat planar and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the arcuate wall 50. The bottom portions of the wall extend inwardly as at 53 and prevent longitudinal movement of the shield with respect to the head 12. The walls 52 are shaped similarly to the cross-section of the head 12 and are thicker in width or cross-section than the arcuate wall 50. Rib 44 is of preferably substantially rectangular cross-section and is connected longitudinal-1y along the central portion of the outer surface of arcuate wall 50 and is connected at each end to the walls 52. Rib 44 is also thicker in cross-section than wall 50 and together with walls 52 acts to rigidify the shield.

Flanges 46 and 47 extend inwardly from walls 52 of the cup-shaped section 42 and are attached longitudinally along a central portion of the lower edge of the walls 52. These flanges engage the platform 23 to retain the shield 40 on the head of the safety razor. Tab 48 is adjacent to flange 47 and extends from one of the walls 52 outwardly in a direction opposite to that of flange 47. Flanges 46 and 47 and tab 48 are similar in thickness to walls 52. Venting means such as holes 54 are provided in walls 50 and 52 adjacent to exposed portions of blade 16 and act to allow ventilation of blade 16. Thus, shield 40 may also be placed on a safety razor 10 immediately after shavmg.

To mount the shield 40 on the safety razor, an end of the head 12 is placed in the shield so that an end of platform 23 engages flange 46. Downward pressure is applied, for instance, by the thumb, to the rib 44 as at A in FIGS. 6 and 7, and upward pressure is applied to tab 48, for instance, by the index finger, as at B in FIG. 6, simultaneously. This action causes the rib 44 to bend upward at the end closest to tab 48 and causes flange 47 to be further separated from flange 46 as the arcuate wall 50 is stretched. The flange 47 may then be drawn over the opposite end of head 12. When the pressure at points A and -B has been released, the flange 47 engages platform 23, thereby keeping shield 40 snugly on the head 12.

To remove the shield 40, it is necessary only to apply upward pressure to the tab 48 as at B, whereby the flange 47 is disengaged from platform 23 and is then easily drawn over the head to release the shield 40 from the head 12.

As seen clearly particularly in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, each of the instant shields or envelopes is so dimensioned as to provide a total volume which exceeds that of the razor head with the blade mounted thereon so that the blade is spaced from and does not touch the inner surface of the shield.

While preferred embodiments have here been shown and described, it will be understood that skilled artisans may make minor variations without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A flexibly deformable shield for a safety razor, said shield comprising a one-piece envelope which normally holds a shape substantially in accordance with the shape of the head of said razor and including an upper elongated arcuate wall terminated at each end by a dependent wall and a bottom wall, said envelope encompassing a volume that is somewhat larger than said head, said envelope having a self-closing longitudinal slit in said bottom wall to accommodate entry and removal of said head when said slit is opened, said bottom wall further including a pair of adjacent complementary notches one on each side of said slit so that an opening is formed to accommodate the handle of said razor, each of said notches having its References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,957,065 5/1934 Hueber 3090 6 8/1936 Pearson 30-90 3/ 1945 Johnston 3090 2/ 1954 Stiller 15037 3/1965 Sooter 30-90 FOREIGN PATENTS 7/1963 Canada. 5/1956 France.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MYRON C. KRUSE, Examiner. 

1. A FLEXIBLY DEFORMABLE SHIELD FOR A SAFETY RAZOR, SAID SHIELD COMPRISING A ONE-PIECE ENVELOPE WHICH NORMALLY HOLDS A SHAPE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SHAPE OF THE HEAD OF SAID RAZOR AND INCLUDING AN UPPER ELONGATED ARCUATE WALL TERMINATED AT EACH END BY A DEPENDENT WALL AND A BOTTOM WALL, SAID ENVELOPE ENCOMPASSING A VOLUME THAT IS SOMEWHAT LARGER THAN SAID HEAD, SAID ENVELOPE HAVING A SELF-CLOSING LONGITUDINAL SLIT IN SAID BOTTOM WALL TO ACCOMMODATE ENTRY AND REMOVAL OF SAID HEAD WHEN SAID SLIT IS OPENED, SAID BOTTOM WALL FURTHER INCLUDING A PAIR OF ADJACENT COMPLEMENTARY NOTCHES ONE ON EACH SIDE OF SAID SLIT SO THAT AN OPENING IS FORMED TO ACCOMMODATE THE HANDLE OF SAID RAZOR, EACH OF SAID NOTCHES HAVING ITS LARGEST LONGITUDINAL DIMENSION ALONG SAID SLIT, SAID SLIT BEING OPENED BY INWARD PRESSURE APPLIED AT SAID END WALLS SO THAT SAID HEAD OF THE RAZOR CAN BE PLACED AXIALLY WITHIN SAID SHIELD. 